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TV Dramas From Turkey Draw Hollywood’s Eye

Mensing department store and shopfitter Schleifenbaum Design & Project had claimed that the Chamber had no claims whatsoever over their use of the image of the Hollywood sign and Walk of Fame because they did not have German trademarks. But the court in Bochum ruled that the replication of the sign and the Walk of Fame constitute unfair exploitation of the reputation (esteem) and unfair transfer of the image. The Chamber, along with co-plaintiff Global Icons, had cited German law against unfair competition. The courts determination that these companies violated the Chambers rights sends a message that companies outside the U.S. cannot violate our trademark and other rights, said Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber. Source: http://variety.com/2013/biz/biz/hollywood-walk-of-fame-court-case-1200565280/

But Turkish TV is heating up fast, fed by the country’s rapid growth and cash-rich channels. While Turkish series used to be telenovela-style soaps, its new crop of shows are slick and big-budget (up to $1 million per episode), and they cover a range of genres from the Ottoman Empire period epic Magnificent Century (think The Tudors with turbans) to 20 Minutes, a 24-esque actioner about a man trying to save his wife. Turkish dramas already own primetime across the Middle East and much of Central Europe. There, an episode of top Turkish shows such as the mystery thriller The End of Mercy can command license fees several times that of most U.S. series imports. Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tv-dramas-turkey-draw-hollywoods-586183